Eimeria tenella microneme protein 3 : localisation and function during invasion

Eimeria tenella causes the intestinal disease coccidiosis in chickens. It belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa, which contains many obligate intracellular parasites including pathogens of the genera. Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium. In common with other apicomplexans the invasive stages of E. tenella have an organised array of cytoskeletal elements and secretory organelles, (micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules) at their anterior ends. Secretion of microneme proteins (MICS) is stimulated by contact with the host cell and many MICS contain adhesive domains which are involved in the attachment of the parasite to the host cell.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo